Ole Miss softball continued it’s postseason run with a 8-0 run rule win over Southern Illinois Friday night. The win pits the No.13 Rebels against Arizona State who defeated North Carolina 9-3 in Friday night’s first game.
So far the 2017 SEC Champions are living up to all expectations. Ole Miss softball continued its winning run in their first game of the NCAA Oxford Regional by run ruling the Salukis of Southern Illinois 8-0 in 5 innings. The win pushed the Rebels into the winners bracket and increased their current win streak to 5 games. Of course, 4 of those games were in the SEC Tourney.
The Rebels and skipper Mike Smith are doing everything right and it was never more apparent than Friday night. With first pitch delayed almost two hours as a result of earlier rain, the Rebels wasted no time with Southern Illinois. Scoring 5 runs in the 2nd inning and 3 more in the 5th, and holding SIU scoreless allowed Ole Miss to get the 8-0 victory after 5 innings.
It’s easy to feel and see the excitement surrounding the Ole Miss softball program right now. It was very evident in the record-setting crowd of 1,677 which packed the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
Big thanks to the 1,677 fans on hand tonight, the largest home crowd for a Mississippi team in our state's history. #RebelNation pic.twitter.com/EdY8DP5Dyw
— Ole Miss Softball (@OleMissSoftball) May 20, 2017
Of course, the competition is only going to get tougher as the Oxford regional continues Saturday. If you watched the game between Arizona State and North Carolina then you already know this. Ole Miss will face Arizona State in the winners bracket in game 3 of the regional Saturday afternoon. However, lets look at Friday night’s game by the numbers.
In The Circle
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There was no surprise for any Ole Miss softball fan when Kaitlin Lee took her spot in the circle Friday night. Coach Mike Smith likes going with whatever works and right now there is no better pitcher in the regional.
Once again, Lee would be outstanding in a run rule shortened 5 inning outing. Of course, Lee went the distance and earned her 10th consecutive complete game.
The junior right-hander allowed no runs and only 4 hits while recording 2 Ks and no walks. Lee threw 83 pitches of which 53 were strikes.
According to OleMissSports.com,
"Junior RHP Kaitlin Lee threw her 10th consecutive complete game, tying her own school record which she set earlier this season. She allowed only four hits and no runs in what was her school record ninth shutout this year. ~OleMissSports.com"
Of course, Lee has a huge supporting cast in the defense behind her when she is in the circle. The Rebel defense shutdown Southern Illinois and with 15 put-outs stranded 5 Salukis base-runners.
T5 | LOOK ALIVE @paige_mckinney6! She LAYS OUT and snags what would've been a single up the middle! #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/dBpQq19OeM
— Ole Miss Softball (@OleMissSoftball) May 20, 2017
At The Plate
Offensively the Rebels had a big night in the batter’s box. In total 6 Rebels would tally 8 runs on 8 hits. Leading all Rebel hitters was Kylan Becker with a 2 for 3 night at the plate. Becker (.376) knocked in a career high 5 RBI. Becker also had an inside the park HR in the game.
Elantra Cox (.421) also had a multiple hit night, going 2 for 3 and scoring 2 runs. Miranda Strother (.308) and Paige McKinney (.310) both went 1 for 2 on the night with each knocking in a RBI and scoring a run. Kaylee Horton (.281) went 1 for 2 and scored a run while Ashton Lampton (.247) had a 1 for 3 night at the plate.
Bry Castro scored in the game as pinch-runner. Dakota Matiko, who reached base on a walk also scored in the game.
This Rebel squad put together a great offensive performance and are really hot right now at the plate. Can they continue their streak? This Ole Miss softball fan says yes. Of course, I’ve been saying it all season. Now, they have to face a very tough ASU softball team. However, this Rebel team is as scrappy as they come and is on a very great run.
Today’s Match-up
Today’s matchup sets up to be a slugfest between the No.13 Ole Miss Rebels and the Arizona State SunDevils. Ole Miss (41-18) is coming off an opening round win over Southern Illinois with an 8-0 run rule decision. Arizona State (31-20) took the 9-3 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels in the opening game of the Oxford Regional.
Today’s first pitch will be at 1:30pm CT. As of now, there is no scheduled destination for televised broadcast. However, OHT will give accurate updates on information via Facebook and Twitter.